Dear families

It was a joy to welcome our Secondary students back last week and it has certainly been a beautiful start to the school year.  Pope Francis has declared 2025 to be a Jubilee Year with an overarching theme of HOPE. In the Catholic Church a Jubilee Year only comes along once every 25 years.  The frequency has changed over time: at first, they were celebrated every 100 years; later, in 1343 Pope Clement VI reduced the gap between Jubilees to every 50 years, and in 1470 Pope Paul II made it every 25 years. 

A Jubilee Year such as this one can be seen as an opportunity to reset… and perhaps to look at life with fresh eyes. As a staff, the lens through which we are seeing with fresh eyes this year is one of connection. We know that when students have a sense of connection and belonging in their school community they are more likely to be engaged and focused on learning. Teachers have been using the opening lessons of the year to begin explicitly building connections with students and setting the tone of their classrooms.  It has been wonderful to walk through classes in these early days of the term and see everyone settling in so well.

This year we are also rolling out our updated Uniform Policy. I am very grateful for the large number of parents, staff and students who engaged in the review process we held last year. The feedback we received was incredibly helpful and enabled us to refine the policy and also clarify the implementation processes around it. Overwhelmingly, the feedback indicated that our community places a high value on the uniform expectations we set and there is an eagerness to maintain the high standard of presentation we see from our students. There are a few components of the policy that we have adjusted and we have also had very productive conversations as a staff regarding how we can implement the policy in the most fair and equitable way possible, with a strong emphasis on taking a relational approach that always maintains the dignity of students in the process. Please take some time to read the updated policy which is included for your reference.

All the best for the year ahead.

God bless

Angela Myles | Executive Principal

I would like to welcome back to St Matthews all our students and families and in particular I extend a warm welcome to those families new to our school community this year. I look forward to meeting many of you over the course of the term and year ahead.

We have started the term off running, with a great energy and enthusiasm for what is shaping up to be a fantastic year.

Year 11 Mass and Badge Ceremony

Already we have had a wonderful community event in our Year 11 Mass and Badge Ceremony held at our Parish church, St Mary's last week. This was a wonderful celebration of our incoming senior students shared with family, friends and many members of staff. We were fortunate to have both Fr Owen and Fr Garry celebrate Mass with us.

Year 11 2025 - Mass and Badge Ceremony

Welcome Mass and Student Leader Commissioning

On Wednesday we officially opened the new school year with a Mass celebrated by Fr Owen. The Mass was our first opportunity to come together as a faith community-  filled with hope for a wonderful year ahead - aligned with the 2025 Jubilee theme, the Year of Hope.

After Mass, the school student leaders were commissioned into their roles for 2025. The leadership team is a wonderful group of young people, and I look forward to working alongside them in 2025. Congratulations to all student leaders! Thank you to all the families who attended our Mass and Commissioning ceremony and joined us for the celebratory morning tea.

Celebrating the Class of 2024

During the Commissioning ceremony we were fortunate to celebrate the wonderful success of our 2024 cohort with 3 past students to recognise their wonderful academic performances in the HSC. During the ceremony we also announced our 2024 Dux; recognised students who were announced on the NESA Honour roll for outstanding achievement and those that gained the highest mark for a subject throughout the Bathurst Diocese.

Jim McCarney	Dux 1st in Diocese English Extension 1 1st Diocese Legal Studies Academic Excellence/NESA Honour Roll in: Ancient History English Advanced English Extension1 Legal Studies Studies of Religion 1 Visual Arts
Stella Walker	1st in Diocese Studies of Religion II Highest Diocesan Mark 94/100 1st in Diocese Ancient History 1st in Diocese Business Studies Academic Excellence/NESA Honour Roll in: Ancient History Studies of Religion II
Gabrielle Tipping	1st in Diocese Geography 1st in Diocese Visual Arts Academic Excellence/NESA Honour Roll in: Geography Music 1 Studies of Religion II Visual Arts ARTEXPRESS Selection
Ella Clift	1st in Diocese Drama Academic Excellence/NESA Honour Roll in: Drama
Noah Gregory	Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year Academic Excellence/NESA Honour Roll in: Studies of Religion 1
Klancie Freebody	1st in Diocese Music 1 Academic Excellence/NESA Honour Roll in: Drama Mathematics Standard 2 Music 1 Studies of Religion II
Kasey Paterson	1st in Diocese Modern History Academic Excellence/NESA Honour Roll in: Drama Modern History
Lucinda Keen	Academic Excellence/NESA Honour Roll in: Visual Arts

 

Ella, Stella and Jim - High Achievers of the 2024 HSC cohort

   

New Courses in 2025

We are excited to have been able to further extend our already rich and broad curriculum to include 4 new courses in 2025. These courses predominantly are in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) space and attract an Australian recognised qualification in addition to satisfying requirements here at school or for the HSC and ATAR. In Stage 5 we have introduced Active Volunteering  - with students receiving a Certificate 2. Led by Mrs Mitchell students will have the opportunity to engage in a range of school and community volunteering opportunities - at the heart of our Service value here at St Matthews.

  

The inaugural Active Volunteering class led by Mrs Donna Mitchell

Elective History is another course introduced in 2025 for our Stage 5 students.

In Stage 6, 2 VET courses were introduced for 2025. Both allow students to study this as a part of their HSC pattern of study and can sit an HSC exam and therefore results can contribute to an ATAR (university) pathway.

Primary Industries (certificate 2) will be taking full advantage of our new amazing facilities such as the cattle yards and tractor. TAS and in particular Agriculture is a growing area in our school, well supported by the CEDBL and I’m looking forward to the different programs and initiatives we see from the students.

Entertainment and Live Production (Cert 3) is another fantastic inclusion to our senior suite of courses. Students will gain knowledge and practical skills to run events and live production including lighting and sound. I look forward to having our own ‘Roadies’ for assemblies and events here at school.

  

Year 11 CAPA Excursion

Our senior drama, music, entertainment and art classes are currently in Sydney on an overnight excursion attending a variety of workshops and performances, including the Onstage performances of the outstanding 2024 HSC drama major works and Art Express - a showcase of 2024 outstanding HSC artworks. Such opportunities to see the work expected at the HSC level is invaluable for our students and it’s great to see them have this wonderful opportunity. Thank you to Mrs Skinner, Mr Hull and Mrs Mitchell for accompanying our students.

    

Parent Information Sessions - Tuesday 18 February - Secondary Campus Hall

 

7 -10 Information Session (Year 7 families and new families to SMCS Y 8 - 10)	5.30 - 6.30pm
Duke of Edinburgh Information Session -Interested students & families (Y9-11)	6.30 - 7pm
Y11 - Information Session & Assessment Handbook	7pm - 8pm

    

Ms Blaney McCarthy- English | Head of Campus - Secondary

 

 

O’Connor Feast Day Celebration – Wednesday February 26

On Wednesday, February 26, our school community will come together to celebrate O’Connor Feast Day. Students in Years 7-10 will travel by bus to St Mary’s Catholic Church, where they will join the primary students for a special prayer service. This gathering will be a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the values and inspiration of Eileen O’Connor. Following the service, students will share lunch and enjoy games, strengthening our sense of community and faith. We look forward to a joyful and faith-filled day!

We invite families to explore the link below and, together with your child/children, learn about the life of Eileen O’Connor. Take time to reflect on how her example can inspire us “to be more.” Conclude your reflection by praying the Eileen O’Connor prayer as a family.

Eileen O'Connor

    

Every 25 years, the Catholic Church holds a Jubilee Year. All members of the global Church are called to participate in this Holy Year. It is a time to grow deeper in our faith and prayer life. A time too to re-establish a proper relationship with God, with one another, and with all of creation. Key aspects of a Jubilee Year include how we treat one another and how we live out the mission Jesus states in chapter four of Luke’s Gospel. It is this Gospel which provides the scripture for this Celebration of the Word.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

What is a jubilee?   

Jubilee years are a time of newness. They have been celebrated throughout the history of the Church, but their roots go back to the Old Testament, when the Israelites were commanded to celebrate a jubilee every 50 years.  

Beginning with the blowing of a ram’s horn - the yobel, from which the word jubilee comes—on the Day of Atonement, it was meant to be a kind of ‘reset’ or ‘refresh’ for their relationship with God and with each other.

Debts would be forgiven, misappropriated land returned, slaves freed, and the land given rest. It was a stark and dramatic reminder for the ancient Israelites that nothing was absolutely theirs—not even the Promised Land.  

The Israelites were to live as if everything was a grace and blessing from the God who brought them out of Egypt.

        

Pope’s Monthly Intention

For vocations to the priesthood and religious life

Let us pray that the ecclesial community might welcome the desires and doubts of those young people who feel a call to serve Christ's mission in the priesthood and religious life.

Vinnies

The Vinnie’s group at St Matthews is a school group that anyone can be involved in. They aim to help those around them and the wider Mudgee community. The group so far have held things like the Year 7 retreat and have helped deliver the Christmas hampers at the end of 2024. We attended a St Mary’s St Vincent de Paul Conference and had a tour of the shop. One member, Oliver O’Brien,  volunteered at the shop over the school holidays and is continuing to offer his time. Vinnies started at the end of 2024 and since then have held meetings to discuss things here at school and out of school.

They are a group open to anyone, and would love people to get involved. It is open for 7-10 students and new members are much appreciated. 2025 is going to be an amazing year full of new and exciting challenges for the group.

Lily Hockley | Year 10

Belinda Redden | Leader of Mission

Supporting Year 7 Students as They Start High School

The transition to high school is a big step for Year 7 students, bringing excitement and new opportunities alongside challenges like making new friends, adjusting to a different routine, and managing increased responsibilities. While this can feel overwhelming at times, support is available to help students and their families navigate the change smoothly.

ReachOut, a trusted mental health and wellbeing resource, offers valuable guidance for parents and carers supporting their children through this transition. Their School Transition page (ReachOut School Transition) provides practical advice on easing anxiety, building resilience, and encouraging independence.

Internet Safety Tips for High School Parents on Safer Internet Day 

Safer Internet Day is a great opportunity for parents to talk with their high school children about staying safe online. As teenagers spend more time on social media, gaming, and other digital platforms, it’s important to help them develop responsible online habits.

The eSafety Commissioner provides a range of free resources to support families in navigating online safety. Their Safer Internet Day page (eSafety Resources for Families) offers expert advice on topics like cyberbullying, online privacy, and managing screen time.

By having open conversations and setting clear expectations, parents can empower their teens to make safer choices online. Whether it’s understanding privacy settings, recognizing online risks, or learning how to report harmful content, these resources are invaluable. Take a moment this Safer Internet Day to explore these tools and help your child build a safer and more positive digital experience.

Strengthening Our School Community with Real Schools (Article in the folder) 

We’re excited to continue our partnership with Real Schools this year, reinforcing our commitment to restorative practices in our school community. This ongoing collaboration supports staff, students, and parents in fostering a positive, respectful, and inclusive school culture.

Our teachers will receive ongoing professional development in restorative practices, including workshops, classroom support, and training sessions. Parents will also have opportunities to engage through information sessions, resources, and practical strategies to use at home.

Together, we’re building stronger relationships, accountability, and a supportive learning environment. Stay tuned for updates as we continue this important journey!

Smart Pass 

We are excited to introduce SmartPass, a digital student movement system that will be implemented across our secondary campus. SmartPass is designed to enhance student accountability, improve school safety, and streamline movement during class time.

With SmartPass, students will request and manage their movements when they need to leave class, reducing disruptions and ensuring they are where they need to be for learning. This system also allows staff to monitor student movement in real-time, helping us create a more secure and efficient school environment.

To learn more about SmartPass and how it benefits students, parents, and schools, please visit: https://www.smartpass.app/parents.

Dillon Price | Leader of Wellbeing 

We welcome back new and existing students for another great year at the Learning Resource Centre. The Learning Resource Centre is open break 1 and 2 each day for students to relax, play games, read and borrow books and catch up with friends. Our programs are starting back in week two and all students are welcome to attend.

These include;

- Lego Club Break 1 Mondays

- Puzzle Club Break 1 Tuesdays  

- Quiet Time Break 1 Thursdays

Our student book group is back for another year and students are encouraged to fill out an expression of interest form on Compass. 

Looking forward to another Booktastic year in the Learning Resource Centre

Mrs Sugden | Teacher/Librarian

We are now taking names for next year for private tuition lessons in various instruments.

Lessons are offered by accredited musicians either during the day (Years 2 – 6) or after school.

The school has several instruments available for hire for beginners at $75 per term.

Instruments (Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone) are recommended for students according to their physical size – usually late Year 4 or Year 5. Starting earlier than that usually results in bad habits, mostly due to holding the instrument incorrectly.

Please email me (g.tipping@bth.catholic.edu.au) with an indication of your interest or if you have any questions.

Gavin Tipping | Music Teacher